Soledad Aranda is a proud alumni of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) where she has served in multiple capacities as a bilingual teacher, Intervention Coordinator, TSP/Title I Advisor, and Assistant Principal, Elementary Instructional Specialist (APEIS) over the course of her nearly 29-year career with the District. Currently, she serves as a Readiness & Integration Specialist, integrating technology to support teaching and learning, and the implementation of computer science education and digital citizenship programs across LAUSD schools.

Alejandro Arias is a proud product of LA Unified and has been serving for over 15 years. He has been working as a Multimedia Designer for the past ten years and has a Bachelor degree in Computer Information System and varies of certificates in technology. He is enthusiastic about working with Instructional Technology Initiative (ITI), supporitng with all the multimedia needs.

Creativity, compassion, and critical thinking are three of the values that Wen-Wen Cheng strives to support as an educator. She holds a M.Ed. in Elementary Education from UCLA and is a Google Certified Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator, and a Common Sense Educator. She has served LAUSD in multiple capacities, including an Elementary Teacher, Mathematics and Title III Instructional Coach, and Common Core Mathematics Expert. Wen-Wen now dedicates her time supporting school communities as an Instructional Technology Facilitator where she enjoys exploring ways in which instructional technology can raise academic achievement.

Christine started her journey at LAUSD in 2006 and served as a high school social studies teacher for twelve years. In 2015 Christine obtained a doctoral degree in education specializing in Teacher Education in Multicultural Societies at USC. Prior to becoming an Instructional Technology Facilitator, Christine served as a social studies faculty advisor at UCLA’s Teacher Education Program and as an instructional coach at Augustus F. Hawkins High School’s Critical Design and Gaming School. Christine is committed to personalizing student learning through purposeful integration of instructional technology and collaborating with teachers. She is a Google Certified Educator Level 1.

Jamie is currently a Specialist for Instructional Leadership Support with the Instructional Technology Initiative (ITI). In this role, she supports L.A. Unified educators and leaders in leveraging digital tools and resources for student success through various models of support, including working with Practitioner Schools, supporting Professional Development, and assisting with ITI’s Signature Events. Jamie was an elementary teacher for 10 years and has worked in partnership with universities to mentor pre-service teachers, among other site leader positions. Jamie received her M.Ed in Elementary Mathematics Education from UNLV and her M.Ed and Preliminary Administrative Services Credential from UCLA. She is a Google Certified Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator, Common Sense Certified Educator and a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner. Jamie advocates for equity, access and opportunity in computer science education for all, and is committed to building strong computational thinkers and digital citizens. Jamie’s motto is to “Work hard, make it fun, learn together, and prove it was worth it!”

As a Senior Office Technician with the Information Technology Initiative my current duties consist of filing, answering phones, scheduling conference rooms for ITI meetings, operate office machines such as photocopiers, scanners, voicemail systems, personal computer and prepare office supply purchase orders. A major duty/task is reporting payroll time for teachers and administrators who attend PD training sessions. Assist with the employment selection process of the Non-school assignment of potential ITI candidates.

Juan M. Gutierrez has worked as an educator in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 13 years, serving in various positions such as Paraprofessional, Informational Technology Support Technician 1, and Education Specialist. As an ITF, Juan strongly believes in the importance of developing an environment that incorporates content and pedagogy knowledge hand in hand with technology to guide students in becoming 21st-century digital citizens.

Gohar Hamo is an advocate for public education and has served 15 years in multiple capacities within LAUSD. She has used her Master’s in Curriculum Development to effectively teach TK-8th and spearheaded the opening of a Global Gifted Magnet. She currently serves as an Instructional Technology Facilitator and oversees students, teachers, and administrators as they learn to integrate content and pedagogy with technology. She is a certified Nearpod Presenter, Flipgrid Ambassador, Kami Coach, and has numerous other qualifications for training participants on how to provide high levels of online instruction.

Sandra is a Google Certified Educator Level 2 and served 6 years as a Secondary English and ELD teacher in LD Central. During this time, she supported her school community in various leadership roles including Lead Teacher. As an ITF, Sandra strongly believes in developing a culture of collaborative learning amongst adults and students by leveraging instructional technology to create enriching, equitable learning experiences that prepare all students to be successful 21st-century digital citizens.

Ms. Allison Jonas is currently the Coordinator Readiness and Instructional Technology Integration. Allison is an accomplished and results driven education professional with more than seventeen years teaching experience and a commitment to student growth, development, and academic success. Notable success in providing students and teachers with the tools and skills required to build and advance toward a framework of 21st century success. Expertise providing Instructional Technology leadership, including visioning, strategic planning, goal-setting, curricular innovation, program evaluation, problem solving, and utilizing management theory and practice.

Before becoming an Instructional Technology Facilitator with the Instructional Technology Initiative (ITI), Matt Piwowarczyk served as an Instructional Coach at Augustus F. Hawkins High School's Critical Design and Gaming School (CDAGS). He supported CDAGS' Information and Communication Technology pathway through the development of interdisciplinary projects and the facilitation of professional development in game-based learning. Prior to being an instructional coach at CDAGS, he taught high school English and Special Education in South LA, Baltimore, Chicago, and South Korea.

Rohya Prudhomme has worked as an educator in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 12 years. Prior to becoming an Instructional Technology Facilitator, she served as an English teacher, Lead Teacher, and Inclusion Specialist. Rohya is passionate about equity in education and empowering educators to be the leaders of instructional technology at their school sites. Rohya is a Common Sense Certified Educator and Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2.

Nélida Thomatis currently serves as an Instructional Technology Facilitator. Nelida has educated students in the LAUSD for over ten years and taught fifth, first, and kindergarten. She enjoys working with diverse student populations, is bilingual in Spanish, and has had lifelong interests in technology, graphic design, and music. She strives to help school communities embrace innovative ways of teaching through technology and is a strong supporter of incorporating digital fluency and citizenship in education.

Michelle Touceda has been an educator with Los Angeles Unified School District for more than 20 years. Prior to becoming an Instructional Technology Facilitator, Michelle taught English for grades 6-12 in South Gate. In addition to being a classroom teacher, she also was a school site technology coach, the co-author of a Small Learning Community and a Public Service Magnet, and an LAUSD Teacher of the Year. She is a Google Certified Educator Level 2, a Common Sense Certified Educator, and a Nearpod PioNEAR. During the pandemic, she was a part of the creative team that formed the Distance Learning Educators social media presence. Michelle earned both her BA and MA in English from California State University, Long Beach.